The Historic Districts Council invites you to tour three spectacular spaces in the Art Deco tower at One Wall Street. Built across from Trinity Church as the Irving Trust Building, the limestone skyscraper is a private wonder occupied today by The Bank of New York Mellon. Visitors will view the bank’s museum, 49th floor reception room, and The Red Room, with its spectacular red and gold mosaics. The museum’s artifacts illustrate the architectural and institutional history of BNY Mellon in Lower Manhattan. On the top floor, gilded shells from the Philippines decorate the angular ceiling of the three-story reception room. The adjacent observation decks provide splendid views in four directions. The tour will be led by Christine McKay, historian of BNY Mellon.

The Red Room next to the New York Stock Exchange greets the bank’s clients. Named for an intricate mosaic design glittering along the walls and ceiling, the room was designed by artist Hildreth Meière (1892-1961) with architect Ralph Walker of Vorhees, Gmelin and Walker. Meière is regarded as the foremost muralist of the Art Deco style in the 1930s. Her daughter Louise Meière Dunn and granddaughter Hildreth Meière Dunn will join us as special guests and speak about the International Hildreth Meiere Association, the group they lead to preserve her artistic legacy.Price: $100 Friends of HDC, $150 for Guests. Location and directions for this tour will be provided upon registration. Business or business casual attire is requested.

To purchase tickets, click here or call 212-614-9107, ext. 14 or e-mail ashedd@hdc.org. Advance reservations are required and space is very limited.

In New York City, one body has the power to grant exceptions to certain local building laws and regulations on a case-by-case basis: the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA). Once granted, such special permissions, known as variances, provide building owners and developers with legal, alternative approaches to the city’s Zoning Resolution, Building and Fire Codes, Multiple Dwelling Law, and Labor Law. The BSA also hears appeals made by property owners, community groups, elected officials and the like who believe a given commissioner or agency head has issued a ruling that is illegal.

Comprised of five mayoral-appointed commissioners, the BSA is considered to be one of the most obscure but powerful bodies in city government. Yet many neighborhood advocates who have opposed or closely monitored construction projects in their neighborhoods have had to appeal to the BSA at one time or another. BSA Vice-Chair Christopher Collins will explain the basic steps of presenting to the Board, from how to navigate their procedures and requirements to the most effective approach to formulating arguments.

We need you to continue the campaign! By donating you are aiding in the fight to preserve New York City’s irreplaceable architecture and history. HDC is the only organization that works with communities in all five boroughs. That’s a lot of buildings, and we can only do it with a lot of people

About Us

The Historic Districts Council (HDC) is the advocate for all of New York City's historic neighborhoods. HDC is the only organization in New York that works directly with people who care about our city's historic neighborhoods and buildings. We represent a constituency of over 500 local community organizations.